The aim of instruction is to “neutralize the departure of emigrants from the national territory”, Fofana added. The Cabinet decision comes in the wake of the death of 13 Senegalese migrants on Saturday November 4 off Mauritania’s coasts. In October 2023, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spain’s Interior Minister, indicated the country’s civil guard will step up surveillance operations on the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania to curb illegal migrations from the two African countries. Some 12,500 migrants had been prevented from making the journey so far this year as part of cooperation with Senegal and Mauritania. The number of arrivals by sea to the Canary Islands has increased 80% compared to the same time last year, Interior ministry figures indicated.
